Evolution, Creation and the Plan of Salvation
“There is no conflict between science and religion. Conflict only arises from an incomplete knowledge of either science or religion, or both,” Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said during the dedication of the new Life Sciences Building at Brigham Young University.
“This university is committed to search for truth, and teach the truth,” said Elder Nelson. “All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether truth comes from a scientific laboratory or by revelation from the Lord, it is compatible.”
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The Official Essay by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Evolution:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/organic-evolution?lang=eng
The Church embraces the idea that God’s truths are continually being revealed to his children on Earth. There is no conflict between LDS theology and the theories of evolution as currently understood by science. This subject is still being explored and many things are being discovered. However God created his children and all things in the Universe, it is a miracle and we recognize His hand in all things even if how it occurred may not be understood perfectly yet.
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Book Recommendations:
The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and Evolution
Authors: Jamie L. Jensen, Steven L. Peck, Ugo A. Perego, and T. Benjamin Spackman
PDF Download options: Download Here
Summary: An excellent and very in-depth look at how you can very plausibly reconcile the theories of evolution and the history of life on earth with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter-days and the theology of creation. These ideas do not need to be at odds within the framework of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply about the Meaning of Our Existence
Author: Samuel T. Wilkinson
Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Evolution-Nature-Meaning-Existence/dp/1639365176
Summary: Generations have been taught that evolution implies there is no overarching purpose to our existence, that life has no fundamental meaning. We are merely the accumulation of tens of thousands of intricate molecular accidents. Some scientists take this logic one step further, suggesting that evolution is intrinsically atheistic and goes against the concept of God. But is this true? By integrating emerging principles from a variety of scientific disciplines—ranging from evolutionary biology to psychology—Yale Professor Samuel Wilkinson provides a framework of evolution that implies not only that there is an overarching purpose to our existence, but what this purpose is.
Evolving Faith: Wanderings of a Mormon Prophet
Author: Steven L. Peck
Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Evolving-Faith-Wanderings-Mormon-Biologist/dp/0842529446
Summary: Believers and scientists have long wrestled over the relationship between science and faith. Acclaimed Latter-day Saint author and scientist Steven L. Peck demonstrates that both are indispensable tools we can use to navigate God's strange and beautiful creation. Evolving Faith: Wanderings of a Mormon Biologist is a collection of technical, personal, whimsical essays about Mormon theology, evolution, human consciousness, the environment, sacred spaces, and more. With the mind of a scientist, the soul of a believer, and the heart of a wanderer, Peck provides companionship for women and men engaged in the unceasing quest for further light and knowledge.
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Social Media Resources:
Religion and Evolution with Dr. Jamie Jensen (45 min)
Today we talk with Dr. Jamie Jensen about the intersection of science and religion. She discusses evolution, death before the fall, and early hominids.
Daniel Peterson interview of Ben Spackman, Discussion on Evolution and LDS Theology (1 hr 10 min)
On 18 October 2024, Dr Daniel Peterson interviewed Dr Ben Spackman, a Latter-day Saint historian of religion, science, and biblical interpretation, on the topic of Latter-day Saint views of evolution. Their conversation was recorded, and it is now available for viewing. Dr. Spackman’s background and formal training are exceptionally broad, including advanced work in Semitic languages, Biblical studies, the history of science, and the history of Christianity, with a primary focus on the Reformation and on modern American religious thought. He completed all of the coursework for a PhD in Comparative Semitics (effectively, in Old Testament Languages and Literature, as well as Arabic) at the University of Chicago, but ultimately received his PhD in American Religious History from Claremont Graduate University, where his dissertation explored twentieth-century Latter-day Saint attitudes toward evolution and creationism.
Yale professor: how evolution SUPPORTS the Plan of Salvation (35 min)
Are science and faith mutually exclusive? According to this Yale professor, not by a long shot! In this episode, David interviews Dr. Samuel T. Wilkinson about what he believes science and evolution can teach us about our spiritual purpose here in mortality. Learn more about Dr. Wilkinson and his book at his website: https://samueltwilkinson.com
Steven L Peck on Why Evolution and LDS Thought are Fully Compatible (32 min)
Steven L Peck presents the idea that one does not have to choose between science and God. One does not have to sacrifice their testimony in order to understand and believe in the truths that science brings forth. God sends us the knowledge found by science and science affirms the presence of a supreme being, our Father in Heaven.
Do Latter-day Saints believe in evolution? (6 min)
As scientists have developed theories about our origins in this world, those theories seem to have clashed violently with the creation narrative we've received from sacred scripture. What is to be believed? Do Latter-day Saints turn a blind eye to scientific progress or toss out the Book of Genesis?
Faith and Science: Symbiotic Pathways to Truth | Jamie L. Jensen (25 min)
Dr. Jamie L. Jensen explains the symbiotic relationship between faith and science. The two can fit together without conflict. There is no need to choose between science and religion, they will merge into the same fabric of truth with the right perspective.
Evolution Is NOT Evil (15 min)
We are incredibly grateful for the knowledge and insight of Heath Odgen on our show today as he discusses the importance of embracing science as faithful members of the LDS Church (otherwise known as the Mormon Church). Heath discusses his interest in evolution and how he reconciles evolution and the theory of Adam and Eve. The theory of evolution doesn't have to contradict the belief in the story of Adam and Eve, both can be supported by each other.
Reconciling the Temple with Science, Creation and Evolution: A Faithful Approach - Ben Spackman (59 min)
A Fireside given by LDS scholar Ben Spackman at the Washington DC Temple Visitors' Center Fireside, Mar 1, 2020. Ben tackles the challenges LDS members find reconciling the differences between the science of evolution and the creation stories told within LDS doctrine.
What does the Church believe about evolution? - Ugo Perego (1 hr 2 min)
Ugo Perego, an accomplished geneticist, reviews the views on Evolution of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He recounts the veiws of the church have evolved and how we should approach the difference between creation accounts and the scientific theories of creation etc.
Ben Spackman, “Through a Glass, Less Darkly: The 20th Century History of Genesis and Evolution
Ben Spackman is a PhD candidate in American Religious History at Claremont. His dissertation examines the intellectual roots of LDS creationism and evolution in the 20th century. Prior to his work at Claremont, he received a master’s degree and did PhD work in Old Testament languages and literature at the University of Chicago. He is a guest editor of a special edition of BYU Studies dedicated to biological evolution and LDS faith, and writes at BenSpackman.com (https://benspackman.com/) .
In this presentation, Ben explores how the LDS church advances the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in concert with the theories of evolution and the history in the LDS church with regard to this topic.
How do dinosaurs fit into the creation theory? | with Ben Spackman (29 min)
In this episode, the illustrious Ben Spackman joins us on Saints Unscripted to talk about how science and religion work in similar ways and can work in congruence. He shares his thoughts on the creation theory and how science and religion can support one another. He talks about dinosaurs and the different theories behind dinosaur fossils.
Do Latter-day Saints Believe in Evolution? - Ben Spackman (1 hr 10 min)
Ben Spackman is a Latter-day Saint historian of religion, science, and biblical interpretation, and the co-editor of 'The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ & Evolution', a new BYU book. I wanted to speak to Ben to understand the history of how Latter-day Saints - and wider Christianity - have thought about the theory of evolution and how to navigate scientific discoveries that may seem at first to be at odds with your faith. Some highlights from this episode include Ben's view on how to reconcile evolution with the story of Adam and Eve, how to approach seeming contradictions from past church leaders, and which Latter-day Saint doctrines harmonize well with an evolutionary perspective.
